Sunday, December 26 2004 13:00 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Colombo: Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse today (Dec 26, 2004) urged India to provide urgent medical assistance to his country in the wake of massive casualties caused by tidal waves that lashed the island's eastern and southern coasts following a powerful earthquake in Indonesia.

Besides urging for medical assistance, Rajapakshe, asked India to help with helicopters in the rescue mission.

The Prime Minister said that he does not know the exact number of casualties, but officials said that at least 160 people have died.